Storage managing computer and program recording medium therefor

ABSTRACT

A managing computer is connected to object computers, the managing computer being connected to the object computers and the storage which is connected to the object computers for managing the object computers and the storage. The managing computer includes an interface for receiving volume managing information relating to storage areas in the storage, file sharing information relating to file sharing in the storage which is provided by the object computers and storage managing information relating to the storage, and a control unit which specifies the object computers or the storage to be preset controlled according to the volume managing information, the file sharing information and the storage managing information for managing the object computers and the storage by instructing the specified object computers or the specified storage to carry out the preset control.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/375,199, filed Feb. 28, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,119, nowallowed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a configuration and method ofmanagement in a computer system having a storage, in particular to aconfiguration and method of integrating the fault management and presetcontrol of a storage and a plurality of computers which are connected tothe storage.

Recently, an amount of digital information which is dealt by computersystems which are used in entities has been drastically increased. Inassociation with this, the capacity of a disk volume which is a storagearea for storing data thereon has been steadily increased. In order tocope with such an increase in the capacity of the disk volume, thenumber of devotedly used storages which are connected over networks suchas fiber channels and are independent of a main computer and have aplurality of disk volumes having a large capacity which are shared by aplurality of computers has been increasing.

On the other hand, there are various forms of provision of computersusing the storages depending upon the utilization of client computers.An example of the above-mentioned typical form of providing computersincludes SAN (Storage Area Network) and NAS (Networked AttachedStorage). SAN uses host computers so that it is able to achieve a highrate data access by conducting input/output of data in the level ofblock of a disk to and from the disk volume. On the other hand, NAS usesa file server computer to enable a plurality of client computers toshare a file which is data by conducting input/output of data in thelevel of file to and from the disk volume.

A form of provision of computers (referred to as “NAS over SAN”) inwhich both above-mentioned SAN and NAS are advantageously used so thatboth computers for a file server and a host are provided and areassociated, a data access from a client computer is processed in unit offile and actual input/output of data to and from the disk volume isconducted in the level of block has recently been emerged.

For example, JP-A-2001-142648 (Publication 1) aims at optimallyassigning disk volumes to computers using storages by associatingmanaging means on the storage side with managing means on the computerside.

In Publication 1, the occurrence of a fault is informed to a managingconsole of the storage if the fault occurs in, for example the storage,but it is not informed to the managing console of a computer having arelationship of connection with the storage. Accordingly, it isnecessary for a manager to carry out controls such as inhibition of theconnection to a client on the side of related computer by using themanaging console of the computer after reference to the configurationinformation such as connection relationship between the storage andcomputer. In an environment of NAS over SAN, it is necessary for both ahost computer on the side of SAN environment and a file server on theside of NAS environment to operatively carry out the preset control suchas afore-mentioned connection inhibition by using respective managingconsoles.

In Publication 1, it is necessary for a manager to instruct presetcontrol which will not cause any contradiction over the whole system,from each managing console after considering the connection relationshipbetween the storage and the computer system and between the computersthemselves if any of various preset controls such as configurationchange is instructed.

In order to carry out the preset control without causing anycontradiction over the whole of the system when a fault occurs or theconfiguration of the storage is changed. The type of preset controlssuch as client connection inhibition, file sharing inhibition, diskvolume mount inhibition and object volume closing should be appropriate,the order of a plurality of presetting controls should be appropriateand an object device which is to be controlled for inhibition isappropriate. Accordingly, a computer system having a storage and aplurality of computers should have a capability of associating storageand computers in response to the fault occurrence information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a configuration andmethod which enables the whole of a system to conduct the preset controlwithout any contradiction when a fault occurs or when the systemconfiguration is changed.

A managing computer of one embodiment of the present invention isconnected to a plurality of object computers and a storage which isconnected to the object computers for managing the object computers andthe storage. The managing computer comprises an interface for receivingvolume managing information relating to storage areas in the storage,file sharing information relating to file sharing in the storage whichis provided by the object computers and storage managing informationrelating to the storage, and a control unit which specifies the objectcomputers or the storage which is to be preset controlled in accordancewith the volume managing information, the file sharing information andthe storage managing information for managing the object computers andthe storage by instructing specified object computers or specifiedstorage to carry out the preset control.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the interface preferably furtherreceives fault information from the object computers or the storage andthe control unit preferably specifies the object computers or thestorage to be preset controlled in accordance with the faultinformation, the volume managing information, the file sharinginformation and the storage managing information for instructingspecified object computers or the storage to carry out the presetcontrol.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit preferably specifiesthe object computers or the storage to be preset controlled inaccordance with the volume managing information, the file sharinginformation and the storage managing information for instructingspecified object computers or storage to carry out specified type ofpreset control. The type of the preset control preferably includes anyone of client connection inhibition, file sharing inhibition, diskvolume mount inhibition and access inhibition in the level of storage.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the control unit specifies the objectcomputers or the storage to be preset controlled in accordance with thevolume managing information, the file sharing information and thestorage managing information, and if the preset controls are plural,further specifies the order of execution of the preset controls forinstructing specified the object computers or the storage to carry outthe preset controls in specified order.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the interface preferably receivescluster information for sharing an access request to the storage areawith the other object computers from the object interface, and thecontrol unit preferably specifies the object computers or storage to bepreset controlled in accordance with the cluster information, the volumemanaging information, the file sharing information and the storagemanaging information for instructing the specified object computers orthe storage to carry out the preset control.

An integrated managing computer of another embodiment of the presentinvention is a storage integrated managing means which is operated on aplurality of object computers, a storage which is connected to theobject computers and a managing computer which is connected to theobject computers and the storage for managing the object computers andthe storage. The integrated managing program enables the managingcomputer to function as means for receiving volume managing informationrelating to storage areas in the storage which is connected to thetarget computers and file sharing information relating to file sharingin the storage which is provided by the object computers and storagemanaging information relating to the storage from the storage. Theintegrated managing program enables the managing computer to function ascontrol means for managing the specified target computers and storage byspecifying the object computers or the storage which is to be presetcontrolled in accordance with the volume managing information, the filesharing information and the storage managing information for instructingthe specified object computers or the specified storage to carry out thepreset control.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a fault processing;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a preset control processing;

FIG. 5 is a table showing exemplary configuration information managed bystorage managing means;

FIG. 6 is a table showing exemplary configuration information managed byvolume managing means;

FIG. 7 is a table showing exemplary configuration information managed byfile sharing managing means; and

FIG. 8 is a table showing exemplary configuration information managed bycluster file system means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a firstembodiment of the present invention.

A computer system of the embodiment comprises a managing terminal 1,host computers 2 a to 2 n (generally referred to as “host”), file servercomputers 3 a to 3 n (generally referred to as “file server”), hostcomputer 4 which is devotedly used for storage management, network 5 andindependent storages 6 which are connected to the host 2 and the fileserver 3.

The managing terminal 1, host 2, file server 3 and host computer 4 whichis used for only the storage management are computers each having acontrol unit and a storage unit. Predetermined functions which areexecuted on each computer are implemented by a CPU reading and executingan operating system and application programs which are stored in thestorage unit.

The managing terminal 1 is a managing computer and has a storage unit; acontrol unit for controlling the execution of the operating system andapplication programs which are stored in the storage unit; consoleswhich receive management instructions for managing the host 2, fileserver 3, host 4 for managing the storage and the storage 6; and aninterface (I/F) for the communication over the network 5.

The host 2 and the file server 3 are object computers which are managedby the managing terminal 1, and each of them has a storage unit, acontrol unit for executing an operating system and application programswhich are stored in the storage unit, an interface (I/F) forcommunication over the network 5 and an interface (I/F) 22 forcommunication with the storage 6.

The storage managing host 4 is an object computer which is managed bythe managing terminal 1 and has a storage unit; control unit forexecuting an operating system and application programs, etc. which arestored in the storage unit and an interface (I/F) for communication overthe network.

The storage 6 has a plurality of disk volumes 61; disk controller 62; aplurality of ports 63 which are connected to the host 2 and the fileserver 2; and a network interface 64 which is connected to the network5.

The disk controller 62 is responsible for control of the disk volume 61and control of an access from the host 2 and the file server 3.Configuration information such as connection relationships between thedisk volume 61 and the host 2 or file server 3, state information andperformance information of the disk volumes 61 and the ports 63 ismanaged. The managed information is sent to the storage managing devotedhost computer 4 over the network 5 in a regular manner or insynchronization with changes in the configuration or state information.

The disk controller 62 is adapted to control an access to a physicalarea which is specified by the volumes 61 (permission of read or write)in accordance with an access request issued by the execution of theapplication program on a client computer (which access requestspecifying the logical address of the volume 61 to be accessed) and alogical to physical conversion table which defines correspondencerelationships between the logical and physical addresses of the volume61. The disk controller 62 is able to execute the inhibition of anaccess to a volume in the level of the storage 6 by deleting an addressof the volume on the logical to physical conversion table. The diskvolume 61 is one or more disk unit devices in a hardware sense and ismade of a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) system. Since thedescription of the hardware of the disk volume is not essential tounderstand the present invention, the invention will be described withreference to the volume which is a logical management unit which isconnected to the host 2 and the file server 3 for the simplicity of thedescription.

FIG. 5 is a table showing exemplary configuration information which isrelated with the connection relationship between the disk volumes 61 andthe host 2 or file server 3. The table in FIG. 5 is held by the storagemanaging means 41 of the storage managing devoted host 4. In the tableof FIG. 5, at least identification information of the host 2 and thefile server 3 which are connected to each of the volumes 61 exists withrespect to an entry 501 of the disk volume 61 present in the storage 6.The present table information is only an example. If the informationcontains the connection relationship between the disk volumes 61 and thehost 2 or the file server 3, the form of the information does notmanner.

The storage managing means 41 informs the storage management console 13of the management terminal 1 of the occurrence of a fault in accordancewith fault information from the storage 6 and the table in FIG. 5. Thefunction of the storage managing means 41 is implemented by a programwhich is executed by the control unit of the storage managing host 4.

The ports 63 are connected to the interfaces 22 of the host 2 and thefile server 3 and are paths through which data input/output requestsprocessed by the host 2 and the file server 3 are passed. Preferableexamples of the path may include at least SCSI (Small Computer SystemInterface) channel, ESCON (registered trademark of U.S. InternationalBusiness Machines Corp. in U.S. and other countries) channel and fibrechannel. Different types of ports 63 and the interfaces 22 on the sideof the each computer may exist.

Difference between the host 2 and file server 3 which are connected tothe storage 6 resides in that the host conducts input/output of data inthe block level of the disk for the disk volume 61 for implementing ahigh rate data access function, while the file server 3 conductsinput/output of data in the level of file for the disk volume 61 toprovide a function for sharing a file which is data for a plurality ofclient computers. Although the present embodiment is configured so thatboth of plural hosts 2 and file servers 3 are connected to the storage6, it may be configured so that only one of the hosts 6 and file server3, and one or more computers are connected to the storages 6.

The configuration and operation of the managing means which has beenexecuted by a manager in the computer system which has been describedwith reference to FIG. 1 will be described.

Volume managing means 21 is disposed on each host 2. The volume managingmeans 21 preset controls input/output of each host 2 which is connectedto the disk volume 61 of the storage 6 to and from at least the disk forexecuting the management of the configuration and performanceinformation. The function of the volume managing means 21 is implementedby software (program) on the host being executed on the operating systemby the control unit (for example, CPU) of the host 2.

FIG. 6 is a table showing exemplary configuration information relatingto the input/output to and from the disk. The table of FIG. 6 is held bythe volume managing means 21 of the host 2 and file server 3.

At least a point 601 which is a unit for managing the disk volume andidentification information 602 of the disk volume 61 for each point 601are present in the table of FIG. 6. The point 601 is designated by thehost 2 or the file server 3 mounting the volume 61. A word “mount” usedherein means that the disk volume 61 is recognized to enable an accessto the disk volume 61 on the host 2 or file server 3. The tableinformation is only exemplary. If the information contains informationfor managing the disk volume 61 by each host 2, the form of theinformation does not matter.

The volume managing means 21 of the host 2 and file server 3 manages anaccess to the volume 61 in accordance with the content in the table ofFIG. 6. The volume managing means of the host 2 and file server 3 iscapable of inhibiting the opening of the disk volume by deleting themount point on the table of FIG. 6.

In order for a manager to conduct a preset control and informationmanagement of the volume managing means 21 on each host 21, the hostmanaging console 11 on the management terminal 1 is used.

The volume managing means 21 and file sharing managing means 31 aredisposed on each file server 3. The file sharing managing means 31preset controls at least file sharing for the client computer which usesthe file server 3 and executes the management of the configurationinformation and performance information. The function of the filesharing managing means 31 is implemented with the function of the volumemanaging means 21 by execution of software (program) on the file server3 on the operating system by the control unit (for example, CPU).

FIG. 7 is a table showing exemplary configuration information relatingto file sharing with the client computer. The table of FIG. 7 is held bythe file sharing managing means 31 of the file server 3.

At least file sharing names 701, each of which is a unit in which a fileis shared with a client computer by each file server 3; mount pathinformation 702 for designating the disk volume 61 in which a file isshared; identification information 703 which represents a clientcomputer which is allowed to share the file; and information 704 whichrepresents the type for permitting the access right on sharing with eachclient computer (for example, read, write, file open, etc.) are presenton the table of FIG. 7. Although the mount path information 702specifies the disk volume 61 which shares a file by designating themount point in FIG. 6 in the present embodiment, it may directly specifythe volume name 602. The present table information is only exemplary. Ifthe information contains information for sharing a file with the clientcomputer by each file server 3, the form of the information does notmatter.

The file sharing means 31 of the file server 3 manages the file sharingin accordance with the content in the table of FIG. 7. The file sharingmeans 31 of the file server 3 inhibits the file sharing by deleting thespecified sharing name 701 on the table of FIG. 7. The file sharingmeans 31 inhibits the client connection by deleting the accesspermission client 703 of the specified client computer on the table ofFIG. 7.

In order for the manager to conduct the preset control and informationmanagement of the volume managing means 21 and the file sharing managingmeans 31, the file server managing console 12 on the management terminal1 is used.

Storage managing means 41 is disposed on the storage management devotedhost computer 4. The function of the storage managing means 41 isimplemented by the execution of software (program) on the storagemanagement devoted host computer 4 on the operating system by thecontrol unit (for example, CPU) in the storage management devoted hostcomputer 4. The storage managing means 41 has functions for managing thestate information and performance information of the disk volume 61 andport 63 which is fed from the storage 6 and for preset controlling theconfiguration of the storage 6 such as connection relationship with thehost 2 and the file server 3 using the disk controller 62. In order forthe manager to conduct the preset control and information management ofthe storage managing means 41 on the storage management devoted hostcomputer 4, the storage managing console 13 on the management terminal 1is used.

As mentioned above, the managing means and managing consoles of thecomputer system have heretofore been separately provided, there havebeen following problems for the manager to manage the computer system.

If a fault occurs on hardware in, for example, the storage 6, thestorage managing means 41 informs the storage managing console 13 of theoccurrence of the fault in accordance with the fault information fromthe storage 6 and the table of FIG. 5. However, the fault information isnot informed to the host 2 and each managing consoles 11, 12 of the fileserver 3 which are related with the hardware in which the fault occurs.Accordingly, upon occurrence of the fault, it is not possible toactivate the preset control which is required in the host 2 and fileserver 3 in association of the fault.

If a fault occurs in, for example, “Vol 1” of the disk volume 61 whichis exemplarily shown in Table of FIG. 5, the fault information isinformed to the storage managing console 13, but is not informed to themanaging console 11 of the host 2. On the other hand, as shown by theexemplary table which is held by the volume managing means 21 on the“Host 1” of the host 2 which is shown in FIG. 6, “Vol 1” in which afault has occurred is mounted on “Host 1” by the Volume managing means21, and various application programs are executed. In order to inhibitthe mount of the disk volume by stopping the mount point, it isnecessary for the managing console 11 of the host 2 to executeprocessing related with the inhibition of the mount of the disk volume.Since the fault information which causes the execution of the processingis not fed to the host managing console 11, it is not possible to causethe host managing console 11 to operate in response to the fault.

If an fault occurs in “Vol 2” of the disk volume 61 as is exemplarilyshown in table of FIG. 5, its fault information is informed to thestorage managing console 13, but it is not informed to the managingconsole 12 of the file server. As is shown in the example of the tablewhich is held by the volume managing means 21 and file sharing means 31on “Sever 1” of the file server 3 as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, “Vol 2”in which a fault has occurred is mounted by the volume managing means 21and shares a file by the file sharing means 31, so that the clientcomputer and the like use a file in a sharing basis. In order to inhibitfile sharing and to inhibit the connection from a given client computer(to inhibit the client connection) by stopping the file sharing ortemporarily deleting the client to which an access is allowed, it isnecessary for the managing console 12 of the file server 3 to inhibitthe file sharing or to execute the processing relating to the inhibitionof the client connection. Since the fault information which causes theexecution of the processing is not fed to the managing console 12, it isnot possible to operate the managing console 12 in response to thefault.

If the manager instructs the preset control of the configurationinformation in the storage 6 by using the storage managing means 41 fromthe storage managing console 13, it is also necessary to instruct thepreset control to the volume managing means 21 and the file sharingmeans 31 of the host 2 and the file server 3 which are connected to thestorage which is related with the instruction of the presetting andcontrol.

Specifically, if a change in the configuration of the disk volume 61 isinstructed, the table information relating to FIG. 5 can be changed fromthe storage managing console 13. Since the volume managing means 21newly recognizes the disk volume information in association therewithand changes the table information relating to FIG. 6 and opens the filesharing of the disk volume 61 to the client by the file sharing managingmeans 31, control is necessary to change the table information relatedto FIG. 7. Since each of the managing consoles 11, 12, 13 does not haveany functions to conduct associated control, it is not possible toautomatically change and control the information in each of managingtables.

As described above, associated operation of each managing means isnecessary in the computer system of FIG. 1 when a fault occurs or whenthe preset control is conducted. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, a storage system integrated managing means 14 is disposed onthe management terminal 1 in order to overcome these problems. Thefunctions of the storage integrated managing means 14 are implemented bythe execution of software (program) on the managing terminal 1 on theoperating system by the control unit (for example, CPU) of themanagement terminal 1.

The storage integrated managing means 14 execute the processing forsolving the above-mentioned problems in association with the volumemanaging means 21, file sharing managing means 31 and the storagemanaging means 41. In other words, the storage integrated managing means14 receives the content of the table of FIG. 5 which is managed by thestorage managing means 41, the content of the table of FIG. 6 which ismanaged by the volume managing means 21 and the content of the table ofFIG. 7 which is managed by the file sharing managing means 31. They maybe received regularly or when the configuration is changed.

The storage integrated managing means 14 manages the host 2, file server3 and storage 4 in accordance with the fault information orconfiguration change information and the content of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7when a fault occurs or the configuration changes in the storage, so thatit executes the presetting control as a whole of the system without anycontradiction. Specifically, the storage integrated managing means 14specifies the type of appropriate preset control (inhibition of clientconnection, inhibition of file sharing, inhibition of disk volume mount,inhibition of an access in the level of storage, etc.) and the objectdevice 2, 3, 6 to which the preset control is to be instructed inaccordance with the contents of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Subsequently, thestorage integrated managing means 14, instructs the specified host 2(volume managing means 21), file server 3 (file sharing means 31) andthe storage 6 (disk controller 62) to execute the preset control inaccordance with the specified contents. If a plurality of presetcontrols are necessary, the storage integrated managing means 14specifies the order of the execution of the presetting control inaccordance with the contents of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and instructs each ofthe consoles 11 through 13 to execute the preset control in accordancewith the specified contents. Although the storage system integratedmanaging means 14 is disposed in the managing terminal 1 in the presentembodiment, the functions for performing these functions may be providedat any place such as host 2, file server 3, storage managing devotedhost computer 4 and the storage 6 which are connected to the managingterminal 1 via the network 5. Although three managing consoles aredisposed on the managing terminal in the present embodiment, these threemanaging consoles may be integrated into one exclusively used console(hereinafter referred to as integrated managing console) which isrelevant to the storage system integrated managing means 14.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing in the event of a fault inthe storage 6 in the first embodiment.

Since the state information in the storage 6 is changed when the faultoccurs in the storage 6, the storage managing means 41 receives a changein the state information in the storage 6 as fault information torecognize the occurrence of the fault in the storage (step 301).

The storage managing means 41 informs the storage system integratedmanaging means 14 on the managing terminal 1 of the fault informationwhich has been received at step 301 over the network 5 (step 302).

The storage system integrated managing means 14 obtains the informationof FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and determines whether or not the fault positionrepresented by the fault information which is informed at step 302 isthe volume 61 which is connected to the host 2 or the file server 3based upon the fault information (step 303).

If it is not determined at step 303 that the fault position is thevolume 61 which is connected to the host 2 or the file server 3, thestorage system integrated managing means 14 informs the storage managingconsole 13 of the fault information in a normal manner (step 310).

If it is determined at step 303 that the fault position is the volume 61which is connected to host 2 or file server 3, the host 2 or the fileserver 3 which has a connection relationship with the faulty volume 61is specified based upon the fault information and the information ofFIGS. 5, 6 and 7 so that the type of preset control to be conductedresponsive to the occurrence of the fault (including a case in which thepreset control is not necessary) is determined (step 304). In otherwords, determinations whether or not the host 2 or the file server 3only allocates the resource of the faulty position in the storage 6,whether or not file sharing is preset to the client computer and whetheror not there is an application program using its disk volume are madebased upon the information of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

If preset control such as inhibition is necessary at step 304, thestorage system integrated managing means 14 instructs appropriate host2, file server 3, volume managing means 21 of the storage managing host4, file sharing managing means 31 and storage managing means 41 topreset control the specified control processing (step 305).Alternatively, the storage system integrated managing means 14 mayspecify consoles 11 through 13 to be instructed and issue an instructionof the preset control via the consoles 11 to 13.

Now, preset control will be described in detail.

“Client connection inhibition” means the inhibition of the connectionbetween the specified client computer and the volume and is implementedby deleting the information of the access permitted client 703 of thetable of FIG. 7 by the file sharing means. In the present embodiment,determination whether or not the connection inhibition is to beconducted is made by determination whether or not a client computerwhich is connected with the faulty position in the storage 6 exists andwhether or not its client computer is registered in “access permittedclient 703” based upon the tables of FIGS. 6 and 7. In other words, thestorage system integrated managing means 14 determines that the clientconnection inhibition is carried out as one type of preset control if itis determined based upon the tables of FIGS. 6 and 7 that a clientcomputer which is connected with the faulty position in the storage 6exists and that any client computer is registered in “access permittedclient 703”.

“File sharing inhibition” means that sharing of a volume which is sharedby a plurality of client computers is inhibited and is implemented bydeleting the information on the sharing name 701 on the tableinformation of FIG. 7 by the file sharing means. Determination whetheror not the file sharing inhibition is carried out is made by making adetermination based upon the tables of FIGS. 6 and 7 whether or not aclient computer which is connected to the faulty position in the storage6 exists and whether or not the client computer is registered in “accesspermitted client 703). In other words, the storage system integratedmanaging means 14 determines that the file sharing inhibition is carriedout as one type of preset control if it is determined based upon thetables of FIGS. 6 and 7 that the client computer which is connected tothe faulty position in the storage 6 and that all client computers areregistered in “access permitted client 703”.

“Disk volume mount inhibition” means that an access is inhibited in unitof volume and is implemented by deleting the information of “mount point601” on the table of FIG. 7 by the volume managing means 21.Determination whether or not the disk volume mount inhibition is carriedout is made by making determination based upon the table of FIG. 7whether the client computer which is connected to the faulty position inthe storage 6 exists and whether or not “mount point 601”, for thevolume 61 in which a fault has occurred is registered.

In other words, the storage system integrated managing means 14determines that the inhibition of the mount of the disk volume iscarried out as a type of preset control based upon the tables of FIGS. 6and 7 if no client computer which is connected with the volume 61 inwhich the fault has occurred exists and “mount point 601”, for thevolume 61 in which a fault has occurred is registered.

The type of preset control such as client connection inhibition, filesharing inhibition, disk volume mount inhibition and access inhibitionin the level of storage may be specified based upon the faultinformation as well as the above-mentioned information of FIGS. 5, 6 and7. For example, when a fault occurs in the interface 22 of the host 2,there is no effect even if inhibition in the level of storage 6(inhibition of an access in the level of storage) is carried out.Accordingly, any one of client connection inhibition, file sharinginhibition and disk volume mount inhibition can be determined as onetype of preset control. Although the above-mentioned preset control isan example, processing in the event of fault can be conducted bycarrying out other control processing.

If no preset control is required in the event of fault, the programcontrol may proceed to the processing at step 320 without conducting theprocessing at step 305. The storage system integrated managing means 14informs the storage managing console 13, host managing console 11 orfile server managing console 12 of the fault information (step 320).Alternatively, the storage system integrated managing means 14 maydirectly instruct the host 2, file server 3 and storage managing host 4to conduct the preset control.

Referring now to FIG. 4 which is a flowchart showing the process flowwhen the preset control is instructed from the management terminal 1 inthe first embodiment.

The manager instructs each managing console of the management terminal 1(host managing console 11, file server managing console 12, storagemanaging console 13) or the host 2, file server 3, storage 6 and thelike to conduct preset control from the above-mentioned integratedmanaging console (step 401). The storage system integrated managingmeans 14 receives an instruction which is issued at step 401. Thestorage system integrated managing means 14 determines based upon theinformation of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 which is obtained from each managing means(volume managing means 21, file sharing managing means 31, storagemanaging means 41) of the host 2, file server 3 and storage 4 which areobjects of preset control, whether or not the preset control instructionwill give an influence upon the configuration information of thecomputer system (step 403). Now, a preferable case of the determinationwhether or not an influence will be given will be described. The casewhich will be described is only an example. Any configurationinformation which is obtained from each managing means will beconsidered for the determination in this invention. For example, whenthe disk volume 61 in the storage 6 is deleted, the storage systemintegrated managing means 14 determines that an influence will be givenwith reference to the table information of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, if there isany host 2 or file server 3 which is connected to its disk volume 61. Ifthere is no host 2 or file server 3 which is connected to the diskvolume 61, it determines that no influence will be given.

If it is determined that there is an influence at step 403, the storagesystem managing means 14 specifies a preset control which will benecessary for each managing means (volume managing means 21, filesharing means 31, storage managing means 41) in addition to the presetcontrol which is instructed by the manager and issues these presetcontrols in an appropriate order (step 420). A preferable example inwhich preset controls which will be necessary in addition to the presetcontrol which is instructed by the manager will be issued in anappropriate order will be described. The present invention is notlimited to this example, and the present invention is applicable toother orders. For example, the storage system managing means 14 receivesan instruction to delete the disk volume 61 in the storage 6. If thereis a host 2 or file server 3 which is connected to the disk volume 61,it is necessary to conduct disk volume mount inhibition by the volumemanaging means 21 or deletion of the file sharing by the file sharingmanaging means 31 prior to the deletion of the disk volume.Specifically, the storage system managing means 14 determines based uponthe table information of FIGS. 6 and 7 whether or not there is anydevices 2, 3 which mount the disk volume 61 which will be deleted, andwhether or not there is any file server which mounts the disk volume 61which will be deleted and shares a file for that volume. If there is afile server which mounts the disk volume 61 to be deleted and conductsfile sharing for its volume, the storage system managing means 14instructs the file sharing means 31 to delete the sharing name 701 whichshares a file. If there are devices 2, 3 which mount the disk volume 61to be deleted, the storage system managing means 14 instructs the volumemanaging means 231 to delete the mount point 601 of FIG. 6.

If there are no devices 2, 3 which mount the disk volume 61 to bedeleted, the storage system managing means 14 issues as receivedinstruction of preset control from the manager to each managing means(volume managing means 21, file sharing means 31, storage managing means41) (step 410).

Referring now to FIG. 2. There is shown the configuration of a secondembodiment of the present invention. Differences between the first andsecond embodiment which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

In addition to the configuration which has been described with referenceto FIG. 1, cluster file system means 23 is disposed on the host 2 andthe file server 3 in FIG. 2.

The file server 3 processes an access request in unit of file from theclient computer as described above based upon the table information ofFIG. 8 which will be described and a cluster file system means 23 issuesan access request to a host 2 which is able to execute an access to thevolume in the level of block. This implements an NAS over SAN whichenables an access request in unit of file at a high rate. Alternatively,the cluster file system means 23 may process the access request in thelevel of block in the host 2 for issuing an access request to the fileserver 3 which is able to execute an access to the volume in unit offile. The function of the cluster file system means 23 is implemented bythe fact that software (program) for managing and controlling theinformation between the host 2 and the file server 3 is executed on theoperating system by the control unit (for example CPU) of the host 2 orthe file server 3.

Also in the configuration of FIG. 2, associated operation of eachmanaging means is necessary in the event of fault or preset control inthe computer system similarly to the case of FIG. 1. Accordingly, thestorage system integrated managing means 14 is disposed and processingfor solving the problems is carried out similarly to the case in FIG. 1.

A major difference between the processing of FIGS. 1 and 2 resides inthat the cluster file system means 23 will be managed by the managingmeans which conducts reference of the configuration information andpreset control when processing is conducted in the event of a fault andpresent control. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, presetting of controlinformation between the host 2 and the file server 3 which is conductedby the cluster file system means 23 will be managed for processing inthe event of a fault and preset control. In other words, it is necessaryto conduct processing to make determination whether or not the volumemanaging means 21 and the file sharing managing means 31 will beinfluenced when a fault occurs in the host 2 or the file server 3 orthey are preset controlled.

FIG. 8 is an example of a table for sending the received access requestto the volume 61 via the other host 2 or the file server 3. The table ofFIG. 8 is held by the cluster file system means 23.

The connection relationship between each host 2 and file server 3,identification information 801 of the host and identificationinformation 802 of the file server which is connected to each host isshown on the table of FIG. 8. Since server name of “Server 1” is shownin the host name 801 of “Host 1”, an access request to “Server 1”, byexecuting an application program is sent to the volume 61 via the host 2of “Host 1”. The present table information is only an example. Any typeof information may be present on the table if the information defineswhich connection relationships are established between each host 2 andfile server 3. Alternatively, the cluster file system means 23 of eachhost 2 and file server 3 may hold a table showing other devices throughwhich an access request is bypassed for each volume 61 instead of tableof FIG. 8 and for presetting devices 2, 3 through which the accessrequest is bypassed in unit of volume.

The processing in the embodiment of FIG. 8 is substantially identicalwith that of FIGS. 3 and 4 except that the information on the table ofFIG. 8 will be considered for the determination.

In other words, the storage integrated managing means 14 manages thehost 2, file server 3 and storage 6 in such a manner that preset controlis carried out without causing any contradiction as a whole of thesystem in accordance with the fault information or configuration changeinformation and the contents of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 when a fault occursor when the configuration of the storage is changed.

As mentioned above, in accordance with the present invention, a managingconsole to which the fault is to be informed is automatically specifiedby the integrated managing means which is associated with each managingmeans in a computer system having a storage when a fault occurs in thestorage and the computer having a connection relationship with thefaulty storage is automatically specified so that control which isnecessary in each computer can be automatically conducted.

Use of integrated managing means makes it possible to adjust the presetcontrol which is instructed by the manager independently of the storageand the computer or the providing form of computer, so that the whole ofthe computer system can be preset controlled without causingcontradiction. The present invention provides a configuration and methodfor carrying out preset control of the whole of the system withoutcausing contradiction when the fault occurs or when the configuration ischanged.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art thatalthough the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of theinvention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. A managing computer for managing a computer system, wherein saidcomputer system comprises: a storage apparatus including a plurality ofdisk units for storing data therein, an interface connected to anetwork, and a disk controller responsive to an access request for dataindicated by a logical address via one of a plurality of I/O ports, foraccessing data stored in said disk units by converting the logicaladdress into a physical address, with said plurality of disk unitsforming a plurality of logical disk volumes; and a plurality of fileservers each thereof including a control unit for accessing data on alogical file basis to said storage apparatus by using the data accessrequest via a first interface connected to one of said I/O ports of saidstorage apparatus, a second interface connected to said network, and astorage unit including a first table storing mount point identifiers ofdisk volumes that the particular file server recognizes for access, anda second table storing sharing identifiers of files that the particularfile server recognizes, with each of the files being constituted by oneor more logical data blocks, names of client computers permitted toaccess the files, and types of access rights to the files permitted bythe client computers in a correspondence relationship manner, whereinsaid managing computer is connected to said storage apparatus and saidplurality of file servers via an interface connected to said network,wherein said managing computer acquires contents of the first and secondtables, and wherein, when a failure occurs on a disk volume, saidmanaging computer: (a) determines whether or not there exists a fileserver connected to said failed disk volume; (b) if there exists a fileserver connected to said failed disk volume in step (a), determines fromthe first and second tables whether or not inhibition of an access by atleast one client computer to a file of the failed disk volume isnecessary; and (c) if the inhibition of an access by said at least oneclient computer is necessary in step (b), enables an associated fileserver to inhibit connection between said at least one client computerand the failed disk volume.
 2. The managing computer according to claim1, wherein said computer system further comprises a storage managinghost for managing said storage apparatus via the first interlaceconnected to said network, said storage managing host including acontrol unit for receiving information as to status of said storageapparatus, and a storage unit including a third table storingcorresponding relationships between disk volumes and file serversconnected thereto, the third table being referenced by said managingcomputer for determination in the step (a), and wherein said managingcomputer receives, from said storage managing host, a notice of anoccurrence of the failure on the disk volume in said storage apparatus.3. The managing computer according to claim 1, wherein said managingcomputer: (d) if there exists a file server connected to said faileddisk volume in the step (a), determines from the first and second tableswhether or not inhibition of file sharing by client computers of a fileof the failed disk volume is necessary, and (e) if the inhibition offile sharing is necessary in step (d), enables the associated fileserver to inhibit file sharing between associated client computers andthe failed disk volume.
 4. The managing computer according to claim 1,wherein said managing computer: (f) if there exists a file serverconnected to said failed disk volume in the step (a), determines fromthe first and second tables whether or not inhibition of an access bythe file server of the failed disk volume is necessary, and (g) if theinhibition of an access by the file server is necessary in step (f),enables the associated file server to inhibit disk volume mount for thefailed disk volume.
 5. The managing computer according to claim 1,wherein, when enabling the associated file server to inhibit theconnection in step (c), said managing computer enables the associatedfile server to delete a name of said at least one client computer in itsown second table.
 6. The managing computer according to claim 1,wherein, when enabling the associated file server to inhibit the filesharing in step (e), said managing computer enables the associated fileserver to delete a sharing identifier corresponding to the associatedclient computers in its own second table.
 7. The managing computeraccording to claim 1, wherein, when enabling the associated file serverto inhibit disk volume in step (g), said managing computer enables theassociated file server to delete a corresponding mount point in its ownfirst table.
 8. The managing computer according to claim 1, wherein eachof said file servers includes a cluster file system including a fourthtable storing on a disk volume basis a name of a file server throughwhich an access request to the particular disk volume is to be bypassed.9. A method for managing a computer system by a managing computer,wherein said computer system comprises: a storage apparatus including aplurality of disk units for storing data therein, an interface connectedto a network, and a disk controller responsive to an access request fordata indicated by a logical address via one of a plurality of I/O ports,for accessing data stored in said disk units by converting the logicaladdress into a physical address, with said plurality of disk unitsforming a plurality of logical disk volumes; a plurality of file serverseach thereof including a control unit for accessing data on a logicalfile basis to said storage apparatus by using the data access requestvia a first interface connected to one of said I/O ports of said storageapparatus, a second interface connected to said network, and a storageunit including a first table storing mount point identifiers of diskvolumes that the particular file server recognizes for access, and asecond table storing sharing identifiers of files that the particularfile server recognizes, with each of the files being constituted by oneor more logical data blocks, names of client computers permitted toaccess the files, and types of access rights to the files permitted bythe client computers in a correspondence relationship manner; and astorage managing host for managing said storage apparatus via a firstinterface connected to said network, said storage managing hostincluding a control unit for receiving information as to status of saidstorage apparatus, and a storage unit including a third table storingcorrespondence relationships between disk volumes and file serversconnected thereto, and wherein said managing computer is connected tosaid storage apparatus, said plurality of file servers, and said storagemanaging host via an interface connected to said network, wherein saidmanaging computer acquires contents of the first, second and thirdtables, and wherein, when receiving, from said storage managing host, anotice of an occurrence of a failure on a disk volume in said storageapparatus, said method executed by said managing computer comprises thesteps of: (a) determining from the third table whether or not thereexists a file server connected to said failed disk volume; (b) if thereexists a file server connected to said failed disk volume in step (a),determining from the first and second tables whether or not inhibitionof an access by at least one client computer to a file of the faileddisk volume is necessary; (c) if there exists a file server connected tosaid failed disk volume in the step (a), determining from the first andsecond tables whether or not inhibition of file sharing by clientcomputers of a file of the failed disk volume is necessary; (d) if thereexists a file server connected to said failed disk volume in the step(a), determining from the first and second tables whether or notinhibition of an access by the file server of the failed disk volume isnecessary; (e) if the inhibition of an access by said at least oneclient computer is necessary in step (b), enabling an associated fileserver to inhibit connection between said at least one client computerand the failed disk volume; (f) if the inhibition of file sharing isnecessary in step (c), enabling the associated file server to inhibitfile sharing between associated client computers and the failed diskvolume; and (g) if the inhibition of an access by the file server isnecessary in step (d), enabling the associated file server to inhibitdisk volume mount for the failed disk volume.
 10. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein, when enabling the associated file server to inhibitthe connection in step (e), said managing computer enables theassociated file server to delete a name of said at least one clientcomputer in its own second table.
 11. The method according to claim 9,wherein, when enabling the associated file server to inhibit the filesharing in step (f), said managing computer enables the associated fileserver to delete a sharing identifier corresponding to the associatedclient computers in its own second table.
 12. The method according toclaim 9, wherein, when enabling the associated file server to inhibitdisk volume mount in step (g), said managing computer enables theassociated file server to delete a corresponding mount point in its ownfirst table.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein each of saidfile servers includes a cluster file system including a fourth tablestoring on a disk volume basis a name of a file server through which anaccess request to the particular disk volume is to be bypassed.